Opera, Ballet and Classical Music
Alex Middleton explores the world of opera, ballet and classical music and takes a look at what companies around the UK have to offer the groups in their audiences.
Groups looking to discover the world of classical music and dance will find companies and venues across the UK and Europe deliver a variety of world-class concerts and productions.
Discover opera
From the 16th century to the present day, operatic works have been delighting audiences.
Based at the famous Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, the Royal Opera has a full programme for the coming year, which includes Rossini’s La Cenerentola, running from December to January. Discounts are available for groups.
Also in London, English National Opera, based at the Coliseum, has an exciting programme planned for the upcoming season including Gilbert and Sullivan’s operatta, the Mikado and Verdi’s Aida. A 10 per cent discount is available for groups of 10 or more.
Staging the world premiere tour of James MacMillan’s newly commissioned The Sacrifice, the Welsh National Opera , based at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, will be visiting theatres in England and Wales throughout October and November. The company will also be touring the UK during 2008. Groups discounts are offered.
In Scotland, the Scottish National Opera regularly tours theatres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. The company’s forthcoming 2007/08 programme includes Mozart’s Seraglio. Group discounts on tickets are also available.
In Yorkshire, Opera North, based at the refurbished Leeds Grand Theatre, promises a programme full of variety for 2007/08, with performances including a season of Shakespeare adaptations for 2008. The company will tour theatres throughout the north of England and group rates vary from venue to venue.
Live for ballet
Group organisers will find the UK’s ballet companies can always offer something to enjoy.
The Royal Ballet, also housed at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, has a lively programme planned for the coming season. Forthcoming works include Sylvia, Ashton’s tale of a young nymph pursued by Eros. A 10 per cent discount is offered to groups of over 10 people on selected performances.
The London based English National Ballet will be touring the country this year and into next with productions of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Various group discounts are available.
In Scotland, the Scottish National Ballet regularly tours theatres in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Its 2007/08 season features a broad programme including Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and groups are also offered discounts on tickets.
Based in Leeds and also offerin groups discounts on tickets, the Northern Ballet Theatre will be presenting a range of works at venues across the country, including Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Explore classical music
Orchestras based at venues aross the UK have packed programmes for the coming year.
Perhaps one of the world’s most famous philharmonic ensembles, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, resident at London’s Cadogan Hall, promises a broad programme for the coming eight months. The Orchestra’s 2008 programme features works from composers including Richard Strauss. Groups of 10 or more receive a 25 per cent discount and groups of over 30 a 35 per cent discount on tickets.
Staying in London. the London Philharmonic Orchestra, resident at the Royal Festival Hall, offers a varied programme for the coming season, including works by Rachmaninov. Group discounts are available at the Royal Festival Hall and vary at other venues.
Based in New Broadcasting House and Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s programme for the upcoming season includes performances of works by Sibelius. Group discounts are also available.
In northern England, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, which is based in the city’s Philharmonic Hall, will be marking the beginning of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 with a New Year’s Day Prom. The Orchestra’s subsequent 2008 programme features performances of works that include Holst’s The Planets. Group organisers can book via the dedicated groups booking line and discounts are offered on a sliding scale.
Meanwhile, in the world of symphonic music, the London Symphony Orchestra, based at the Barbican, will be presenting a varied programme for 2008 including a focus on Beethoven in February. A 20 per cent discount is available for groups of 10 or more.
Based in the Midlands, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which is housed at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, has up-coming performances including concerts exploring the Viennese waltzes of the Strauss family in January. Groups can also attend free pre-concert talks. Groups of over 11 people receive a 20 per cent discount.
Across Europe
The opera houses and concert halls of Europe offer group organisers a range of inspirational options from which to choose.
To begin in Paris, the Opera Nationale de Paris presents a varied year round programme of opera and ballet at its two Paris venues; the Opera de la Bastille and the Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera. Its upcoming performances include Nicolas Le Riche’s ballet, Caligula, during March. The opera house has a dedicated group booking line and offers discounts to groups of 10 or more people.
Moving to Italy, the grand 18th century Teatro alla Scala, in Milan, offers groups a broad range of performances. Those coming up have a British theme, including Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet, Romeo and Juliet, running from February to March. The theatre now features seat-back translation screens, giving groups the option of following the libretto in English.
In Austria, the city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, stages two annual festivals which focus on opera, ballet and classical music. The smaller Whitsun Festival, in May, features a variety of performances at various venues in the city, including Paisiello’s opera, Il Matrimonio Inaspettato.
The city’s larger Salzburg Festival lasts for six weeks in July and August each year and features performances of opera, ballet and classical music at venues in the city by some of the world’s finest companies and orchestras.